ZipperBuddy — About Us
Our Story · Behind ZipperBuddy

Designed for
Independence.

Founded by Sandi DeRuntz · For Us by Us

"Independence shouldn't ask you to trade away your identity."

ZipperBuddy founder Sandi DeRuntz
Why ZipperBuddy Exists

Created to make
everyday dressing easier.

ZipperBuddy was created to make everyday dressing easier, more dignified, and more independent for people navigating mobility or dexterity challenges. What began as a personal need grew into a larger mission: helping people keep the clothes they love while gaining a better way to fasten them.

Built as a simple, user-friendly solution, ZipperBuddy transforms traditional zippers into an easy, one-handed experience — eliminating frustration and reducing reliance on others. It allows individuals to continue wearing their favorite jackets and hoodies without any permanent modifications, making accessibility both practical and inclusive.

At its core, ZipperBuddy is about restoring confidence in everyday routines — offering comfort, freedom, and independence through thoughtful design that truly understands real-life challenges.

ZipperBuddy in use
UMass Lowell
ZipperBuddy booth
ZipperBuddy demo
The Spark of Innovation

A gap that was
impossible to ignore.

ZipperBuddy's early development began through adaptive design work at UMass Lowell, where a real-world challenge around one-handed jacket fastening made a larger gap in everyday clothing impossible to ignore.

What started as a design response to a specific mobility barrier revealed something much bigger: many people are forced to choose between independence, comfort, and the clothes that feel like themselves.

The first prototype was built to respond to that need. From there, the idea continued to grow through lived experience, testing, and community feedback.

"This isn't about fixing people. It's about fixing design."

Built for More Than One Story

Designed for
the many, not the few.

Although ZipperBuddy grew from personal lived experience, its purpose has always been broader. It was built for people with limited mobility or dexterity, stroke survivors reclaiming their daily independence, and those living with arthritis or joint pain. It's equally a tool for older adults who want something simple and discreet, for caregivers looking to give the people they support more autonomy, and for families helping loved ones hold onto the routines that matter most to them.

From Idea to Impact

1st Place

Engineering Prototyping Competition 2023

1st Place

Built the first working prototype of ZipperBuddy — where the idea became real.

Contribution to a Healthier Lifestyle Award

50k Idea Challenge 2024

Contribution to a Healthier Lifestyle Award

Recognized for improving independence, dignity, and everyday accessibility.

Award Recipient

Legal Services Prize 2024

Award Recipient

Supported the patenting and protection of ZipperBuddy’s innovation.

Ignite Speaker

Boston University IdeaCon 2024

Ignite Speaker

Selected to share the story behind ZipperBuddy on a national stage.

Chancellors Medal for Diversity & Inclusion

UMass Lowell 2025

Chancellors Medal for Diversity & Inclusion

Honoring leadership in accessibility, advocacy, and inclusive design.

Global Pre-Accelerator

REMARKABLE Pre-ACCELLERATOR 2024

Global Pre-Accelerator

Selected for a global program supporting disability-led innovation.

Entrepreneurial Training

NSF I-Corps UML Program 2024

Entrepreneurial Training

Participated in NSF I-Corps, gaining tools to evaluate market potential and advance ZipperBuddy toward real-world use.

Featured Designer

New England Fashion Week 2025

Featured Designer

Showcased ZipperBuddy on the runway, bringing adaptive fashion into a traditional fashion space. Sponsored by HumanKind Casting.

1st Place

Engineering Prototyping Competition 2023

1st Place

Built the first working prototype of ZipperBuddy — where the idea became real.

Contribution to a Healthier Lifestyle Award

50k Idea Challenge 2024

Contribution to a Healthier Lifestyle Award

Recognized for improving independence, dignity, and everyday accessibility.

Award Recipient

Legal Services Prize 2024

Award Recipient

Supported the patenting and protection of ZipperBuddy’s innovation.

Ignite Speaker

Boston University IdeaCon 2024

Ignite Speaker

Selected to share the story behind ZipperBuddy on a national stage.

Chancellors Medal for Diversity & Inclusion

UMass Lowell 2025

Chancellors Medal for Diversity & Inclusion

Honoring leadership in accessibility, advocacy, and inclusive design.

Global Pre-Accelerator

REMARKABLE Pre-ACCELLERATOR 2024

Global Pre-Accelerator

Selected for a global program supporting disability-led innovation.

Entrepreneurial Training

NSF I-Corps UML Program 2024

Entrepreneurial Training

Participated in NSF I-Corps, gaining tools to evaluate market potential and advance ZipperBuddy toward real-world use.

Featured Designer

New England Fashion Week 2025

Featured Designer

Showcased ZipperBuddy on the runway, bringing adaptive fashion into a traditional fashion space. Sponsored by HumanKind Casting.